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Rogov hii just saw in a shop a Rose wine called Zen ro maybe Zan (from Isrl) anyway i never saw it before and was wondering if you had tasted before, i believe the vintage was 2006right next to it i also saw a new wine from Herzog, Contour NV i think its a semi dry white wine, also here please a noteThank youMenach

Royal Wines produces two Contour wines, the first under the Weinstock label and the second under the Baron Herzog label as a sort of match to their Jeunesse. The Contour wines are blends of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc and are entry level wines semi-dry towards sweet and very fruit forward. I have not tasted the most recent releases but in the past have found these wines to be of interest primarily to not-at-all sophisticated drinkers.

As to "Zen", not one that I've encountered. Perhaps you have some details on the winery/producer?

That's a change. Contour used to be 100% Chenin, and from a particularly favorable spot in Clarksburg. The '98 might be the best California Chenin I've ever tasted. I'm disappointed that they've cheapened the product.

"A clown is funny in the circus ring, but what would be the normal reaction to opening a door at midnight and finding the same clown standing there in the moonlight?" — Lon Chaney, Sr.

Rogov hi,spoke to the shop keeper and.. first of all its called Zan not zen second its a semi sweet blush not exactly the typical rose',(which is why i kind of passed and did not buy it) its made by Noa Winery Kiryat Arba, its made from shiraz/syrah grapes, with a label of a caricature of some building in Tal Aviv (for some marketing thing)the shop keeper tells me it reminds him of a white zinfandel wine and its overall a prittie wine

Ah......one of the labels of the Hevron Heights Winery. Now that I know, I will be able to hunt for the wine. First is to see if it is for sale within Israel. Alas, I cannot phone this particular winery as they choose not to talk with me. I will though check at various stores.

The Contour wines are blends of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc and are entry level wines semi-dry towards sweet and very fruit forward. I have not tasted the most recent releases but in the past have found these wines to be of interest primarily to not-at-all sophisticated drinkers.

BestRogov

Daniel, like Stuart I have had the Weinstock many many times and it was always 100% chenin. I suspect the source of the grapes is the same as where Dry Creek Vineyards and Vinum gets theirs. decent chenin they are as was the Weinstock. If they are now blending chardonnay in with the chenin I will never buy another.

As I said, Royal Wines has many brands that are produced in California, amongst those Herzog Special Reserve, Herrog, Baron Herzog, Weinstock, Weinstock Select and Kedem. Current listings do not include a Weinstock Contour but do include two wines in the Baron Herzog Series - Contour and Chenin Blanc, the first as said earlier, a semi-sweet blend of Chardonnay andChenin Blanc, the second an off-dry pure Chenin Blanc. Come November-December, I am planning on tasting the entire line of these wines and will report back on some detail at that time.

There is a rumor Daniel, that you will be coming to America this winter to do a write up on kosher wines. Is this true? For Royal only? Who is paying for it - not to question your objectivity, but more to know what wines will be included in the report.

Finally, someone told me that there used to be a kosher Oregon Pinot, did you hear about this?

Daniel Rogov wrote:After a bit of checking......

As I said, Royal Wines has many brands that are produced in California, amongst those Herzog Special Reserve, Herrog, Baron Herzog, Weinstock, Weinstock Select and Kedem. Current listings do not include a Weinstock Contour but do include two wines in the Baron Herzog Series - Contour and Chenin Blanc, the first as said earlier, a semi-sweet blend of Chardonnay andChenin Blanc, the second an off-dry pure Chenin Blanc. Come November-December, I am planning on tasting the entire line of these wines and will report back on some detail at that time.

the "zan wine from the white city"- reference to old city in tel aviv is produced by noah. What is interesting is the blend of merlot and argaman grapes. I had purchased a bottle on sunday in New York and am holding it for "friday night"

There is a rumor Daniel, that you will be coming to America this winter to do a write up on kosher wines. Is this true? For Royal only? Who is paying for it - not to question your objectivity, but more to know what wines will be included in the report.

The rumor in this case is quite true. I shall be in the New York area to taste the various wines of Royal and Abarbanel as well as others available at Gotham and other shops; from there it will be to Florida to taste wines from two other importers; and from there to California for a combination of vertical, advance and barrel tastings from about nine different wineries.

As to who pays, let it only be said that my publisher realizes the need for such travels and tastings and our contractural arrangements include quite enough for me to travel "in the style to which I am accustomed".

...someone told me that there used to be a kosher Oregon Pinot, did you hear about this?

This rings a bell somewhere in the dim recesses of memory. Alas, no tasting note to be found.

Indeed, even fewer than you list because Covenant, although a fully independent operation of Jeff Morgan, is made at the Herzog facility. Oh yes.....lest we forget, Gallo also makes one or two kosher wines. No need to travel to California, however, to taste those.

Didn't mean to imply that all of my California visits would be to kosher wineries. I am also planning on visiting two large and several cult-wineries, none of which are kosher, in the area.

Indeed, even fewer than you list because Covenant, although a fully independent operation of Jeff Morgan, is made at the Herzog facility. Oh yes.....lest we forget, Gallo also makes one or two kosher wines. No need to travel to California, however, to taste those.

Didn't mean to imply that all of my California visits would be to kosher wineries. I am also planning on visiting two large and several cult-wineries, none of which are kosher, in the area.

BestRogov

FYI, Covenant will produce 100% of their wine in Napa this year (along with some new ones as well), though the wines will still be distributed through Royal

[quote="David Raccah]What Gallo wines are kosher? Are they worth drinking?[/quote]

From time to time Gallo releases a White Zin, a white blend and a rose that are kosher. Truth is that unless otherwise forced, I have rather avoided these as not of interest to even the least sophisticated drinker. I will, however, taste them during my visit to the USA. Now that I'm doing a book on this, fair is fair.....